Furthermore, court staff is being trained to push tenants hard to make applications for rental assistance and quite often this has happened. You can apply through the application portal or contact the NJ ERMA team at 855-647-7700. The Governor also signed legislation (A-4463) providing additional protections for individuals who were unable to pay rent during the public health emergency by mandating that court records pertaining to their non-payment during this period be kept confidential. COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program, Social Security Card (if a Social Security card has been issued to household member), Signed lease, tenant agreement or property owner certification, Documentation of residence, including utility bills, attestation by a property owner who can be identified as the verified owner or management agent of the unit, Other evidence of annual Income (e.g., wage statement, interest statement, unemployment compensation statement), One (1) Pay stub, at minimum, for wages dated within the last 30 days, from the time of full eligibility application, Documentation must demonstrate a full months worth of consecutive pay, Social Security benefit letter identifying 2021 award, Unemployment benefits letter dated with the last 60 days (about 2 months), Child Support Payment Report from the New Jersey Department of Human Services, Letter from parent payment child support for Child Support payments made outside of the NJ (New Jersey) Department of Human Services. Copyright All rights reserved. Return to nj.gov. If you have submitted a pre-application for CVERAP2/EPP prior to the closing of the waiting list and are contacted by For eviction actions based on non-payment of rent (or failure to pay rent increase or for habitual late payment), the eviction moratorium expires on August 31, 2021, except for those with certain self-certified income levels for whom it expires on December 31, 2021. Read here for more details and frequently asked questions regarding renter protections and the self-certification form. Black and Latino communities were hit especially hard by the pandemic, and are also disproportionately represented among those currently facing eviction in our state. DCA, please follow the application instructions you are given. Is there are US citizenship requirement? In 2021, courts counted an average of roughly 3,800 cases a month.. While there is continued work to be done and households to serve, the State is on a good path to meaningfully address eviction challenges thanks to the solid work done in the last two and a half years. NJ Eviction and Homelessness Prevention Certification: This self-certification process might protect you from eviction if the complaint alleges rent due from March 1, 2020, through August 31, 2021. The New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency s Emergency Rescue Mortgage Assistance Program will provide up to $75,000 in assistance to cover mortgage payments, delinquent property taxes, and other housing cost delinquencies for eligible homeowners negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. You cannot apply without an email address. Locations; Staff; Photos; Homeless Prevention Program Social Services for the Homeless (SSH) - Rental Assistance. Released Sept. 7, the A comprehensive guide to identifying and addressing lead-based paint hazards in rental dwellings lead_based_paint_guide_rental_dwellings.pdf (nj.gov). It significantly limits eviction remedies for certain outstanding residential rent accounts, and for some defaults that may occur during what remains of 2021. In an effort to balance safety with employees rights, the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission issued guidance for workplaces as a first step toward approving standards for Workplace Impairment Recognition Expert (WIRE) certifications. One such form is attached. Landlords may apply for assistance on behalf of a tenant. Hanlon Niemann & Wright takes no responsibility and makes no warranty whatsoever for the content or information contained herein. No, late fees and security deposits are not covered with this program. It is not meant to provide legal advice with respect to any specific matter and should not be acted upon without professional counsel. This depends on your income, number of people in your family, and county. We strongly support the legislation and look forward to working with the Administration to ensure the viability of New Jerseys housing stock. The eviction prevention bill will gradually phase out the States eviction moratorium based on individual renters situations while mandating special protections for those who were unable to pay their rent during the period of March 1, 2020 through August 31, 2021, or, for certain tenants, through December 31, 2021. At that time, the following documentation will be required. Tenants who have been unable to pay their rent and/or utility payments since March 2020 are encouraged to apply for funding for up to 12 months of owed rental arrears. A bill Gov. For the month of June, DCAs program ranked 6th among all state programs in the amount of ERAP funds expended for that month. Tenants can determine which income level they fall into and how they might be protected by submitting their household income self-certification. At this time, the NJ EPP does not provide assistance for utilities. If you continue, you will exit the NMA Portal. The legislation recognizes that as a result of the pandemic, significant unemployment has resulted among tenants and furthermore a significant number of families or households adversely impacted by this are in minority populations victimized by systemic and structural racism. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS FOR EVICTION PREVENTION PROGRAM (EPP). Can I use my smart phone, iPhone, Android tablet or other electronic device which has internet connection to apply? Prospective (Future) rents Only. 2021, c. 188 and P.L. Being a public servant is about finding solutions to problems we never thought we would have to face, and ultimately, it is about helping the people of New Jersey when they need it most. For eviction actionsnot basedon non-payment of rent (or failure to pay rent increase or for habitual late payment), the eviction moratorium was lifted on August 4, 2021. For information about the SRAP program and eligibility requirements, please visit: On April 24, 2020 Governor Murphy signed Executive Order (EO) 128 allowing residential tenants to apply their security deposits to their rent accounts, subject to being replenished in accordance with the terms of that Order. 2021, c. 189. Find Help for Your Situation. Does that qualify as applying for rental assistance on the self-certification form? P (732)495-9500 There are several resources listed below by city and county that are offered to qualified applicants, including one time emergency rent assistance, free government grants or legal aid. Landlords and tenants are particularly put on notice that 18 U.S.C. Working with lawmakers, NJAA strongly lobbied the state to provide rental assistance to tenants in need. Applicants need to have an eviction or pay or quit notice. Bergen County Bergen County has an Emergency Rental and Utility Assistance Program available for eligible residents who experienced financial hardship due to COVID-19. Any application submitted by the 12/15/2021 deadline will be included in future selections and reviewed for Eligibility. Financial assistance is based on a calculation using the households income and contract rent, where total family share of monthly rental obligations would not exceed 30%. You can apply directly to the nonprofit administering the HPP in the county where you live. Letter from employer stating reduced wages, termination, or furlough. Very low-income household means a household with a total current annual household income less than or equal to 30 percent of the area median income for a household of the same size and composition. If you obtain rental payments after August 31, 2021, the statute provides how those payments are to be applied with preference being given to post covered period rent debt. Yesterdays announcement from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention extending the nationwide moratorium on evictions for 60 days may provide additional protections for certain residents. How do I determine how many individuals are included in my household? Office of Climate Action and the Green Economy, Office of Health Care Affordability and Transparency, COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program, Emergency Rental Assistance Program | U.S. Department of the Treasury, Ensures that eviction protection is available for tenants with household incomes below 120 percent AMI who were unable to pay their rent between the covered period of March 1, 2020 and August 31, 2021, and who provide a. You still have a valid claim, its just that you cannot use pandemic related rent arrearages accrued during the covered period (as extended) as a mechanism for eviction for those in the defined household income categories. K) ?K?m8fgoRIL%iJ%>r} KmiC1~IHaXPeepSir?RN= "v>,2%$*d 69w^t]'W9\qE . As DCA Commissioner, Im aware of the daily struggle that people are facing in finding and keeping housing and our team at DCA is prepared to continue to administer housing and utility assistance to them. The NJDCA ERAP/EPP Customer Support Call Center will be closed Monday, May 29, 2023, in observance of Memorial Day. What does the new eviction and homelessness prevention law do? Can You Prohibit Tenants from Smoking Pot in Their Apartments? It is not applicable to any other cause for eviction (e.g. Learn More> Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (This and the prohibition of late fees being imposed by the CARES Act, for the time period of March 28, 2020 through July 25, 2020 are the only pandemic related late fee limitations imposed by law in New Jersey). 8 0 obj Housing Counseling in New Jersey. Income: Maximum gross annual income 30% of AMIHomelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program Agency List (HPRP), HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION AND RAPID REHOUSING, Financial assistance to help pay for housing, Case management and services to maintain housing, Homelessness Prevention Assistance to households in imminent risk of homelessness due to an eviction summons. Please contact NJ 211 if you are homelessness. UNION CITY - Governor Phil Murphy today signed legislation that will provide comprehensive housing eviction prevention and utility assistance for renters who have been financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. That is what we did with this law and I am proud to have been a part of it.The loss of millions of jobs and the resulting economic crisis caused by the pandemic has the potential to trigger an eviction tsunami in the coming months if we do not act now, said Assembly sponsors Britnee Timberlake, Benjie Wimberly, Angela McKnight, and Shanique Speight. The homeless prevention services are an option for both tenants and homeowners as well, provided they meet a number of conditions. (You cannot deny housing on the basis of unpaid covered period rent) Dont forget, for mobile home park landlords, if you wrongfully disapprove someone you should have two concerns-whatever claim that that person may assert against you and, any application rejection which can be argued to be unreasonable interferes with statutory resale rights of your existing selling tenants. The eviction prohibition remedy is only applicable to evictions based upon failure to pay rent, habitual late payment of rent, or failure to pay rent increase during the covered period. The purpose is to provide temporary assistance to households who are being evicted due to a short-term loss of income. Tier I and Tier II Families can receive a maximum of 24 months of assistance. Unemployment benefits do qualify as income. discussing the approaching deadline. Paperwork has to be filed for those. The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs received over $1B in Emergency Rental Assistance funds to provide rental assistance to eligible families who have been impacted during the COVID-19 pandemic. The program is accepting applications and will remain open until all available funds have been committed. That means many types of lease enforcement cases which were not considered emergent under Directive 20-20 limiting trials to be conducted during the pandemic, can proceed immediately without regard to any aspect of this new law. endobj For eviction actions not based on non-payment of rent , the eviction moratorium was lifted on August 4, 2021. !9?yd_&fCI{~ya RrFsSvnm6/p>50L(-s71! The law also prohibits the reporting of rental arrears debt to credit agencies or debt collectors or to other landlords, imposes strict fines on landlords who report such debt, strictly prohibits the sale of civil debt related to rental arrears. To find out more about current eviction protections available and how to self-certify for these protections, visit https://covid19.nj.gov/renter. You can also read more about the If you make between 80% and 120% of your countys median income, landlords cant file for eviction for rent that you missed during the pandemic through Aug. 31, 2021. These protections are not affected by the Supreme Court's decision on the CDC's eviction moratorium. Temporary rapid re-housing assistance to individuals and families living on the streets or in emergency shelters (up to 90 days) obtain permanent housing. You should complete the form online (https://covid19.nj.gov/renter)as soon as possible. Medical Information from healthcare professionals on symptoms, when to seek medical attention, and proper steps to take if exposed to COVID-19. endobj 609-490-4550. How will I know if more funding becomes available? We look forward to working with the administration on the implementation of this bill as well as other housing protections. This historic legislation is a comprehensive approach toward ending New Jerseys eviction moratorium while providing additional rental assistance and tenant protections, said David H. Brogan, Executive Director of the New Jersey Apartment Association. endobj The $750 million in assistance, as well as the protections provided by this legislation, will provide critical support to individuals and families across our state. Are late fees and security deposits covered? Arrears (Past Due Rent) Only. Countable income for purposes of determining eligibility include: Income from employment, including self-employment (includes wages, salaries, tips, etc.) Additional details on S-3691: The new funds appropriated through S-3691 bring the total funds allocated to the COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program and Eviction Prevention Program to more than $1.2 billion. If you are not able to do so online, you may call609-490-4550for assistance. The good news is that in recognition of the huge debt to society that landlords have paid during the pandemic (involuntarily but, thank you), a significant amount of additional rental aid will be made available through a new Eviction Prevention Program to be administered by the State. Monday - Friday 8:00am - 8:00pm, Saturday - Sunday 8:00am - 5:00pm. Income Tier I- Very low-income household with the percentage of AMI that is 50% or less. I want to praise Senator Stack, Senator Ruiz, Senator Rice and Senator Singleton for their productive work with advocates and other public officials to develop this plan. -Read Full Dislaimer. It was a once in a century crisis that left families impoverished and unable to pay their rents. We must attach it to any new complaint we file. 4 0 obj It recognizes the struggles of both landlords and tenants, and it puts the necessary tools in the hands of government to help those in need. To find out more about current eviction protections available and how to self-certify for these protections, visit . % Summary Process Summons and Complaint identifying the applicant(s) as the Defendant(s)/Tenant(s)/Occupant(s), which sets forth a hearing date within thirty (30) days is required as proof of rent arrearage. Only members assigned a social security number will be required to provide verification. August 31st, 2021. All New Jersey households with income less than 120 percent AMI may apply for the. Atlantic County Atlantic Countys Short-Term Emergency Mortgage Assistance Grant Program provides temporary mortgage assistance up to $10,000 for low- and moderate-income households in Atlantic County that were financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. It is the intention of the legislature to make this help available by doing several things. The user is on notice that neither the State of NJ site nor its operators review any of the services, information and/or content from anything that may be linked to the State of NJ site for any reason. You cannot use information related to a tenants failure to pay covered period rent should that be reflected in a credit worthiness analysis you use to consider for the approval of any applicant. The Coalition's Eviction Prevention Program saves more than 800 households each year from the trauma of homelessness keeping them in their own homes and out of the shelter system. Letter from healthcare provider stating youwere sick and unable to work. If unable to provide verification of a reduction of income from source, a self-certification attesting to the reduction, will be permitted, Healthcare costs, including care at home for individuals with COVID-19, Adverse healthcare impact/Increased healthcare costs (medical bills, receipts, etc. The Mercer County Department of Human Services in collaboration with the Mercer County Board of Social Services is offering financial assistance through the ERAP Program to renters for unpaid rent or utility bills impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemic. First, there is a huge backlog in the courts and it will take some time for the cases to get reached under the new processing protocols. Please note that this is an external link. Information on testing, vaccines, and help finding appointments near you. Phone: (732) 863-9900 I live in a hotel/motel. 6 0 obj | By Legal Services of New Jersey Log In If DCA receives additional funds, your application will be considered at that time. Gov. I do not have internet access at home; where can I go to complete my application? As indicated the state intends to make available a significant amount of additional rental subsidies. Learn more about eligibility requirements and the application process. Also Check: Notary Signing Agent Certification Exam Answers 2021. For those seeking a new home or apartment, they can get help with paying for moving costs or a security deposit. The deadline for this program is November 1, 2022 and funding cant be guaranteed. Landlords may apply for assistance on behalf of a tenant. The applicants household income must also meet the HUD low- and moderate-income limits for the county. 120% of that is $98,718.00. If you are behind on your rent and need eviction prevention assistance, please call the Eviction Prevention Hotline at 212-776-2039 . Income Tier III- Middle-income household with the percentage of AMI that is Between 80% and 120% DCA Surpasses Milestone of Delivering Over $100 Million in Federal Emergency Rental Assistance COVID-19 & SBA Economic Disaster Loan InformationLike you, we're closely monitoring the quickly developing effects of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Learn more here, Copyright 2023 NMA Portal. Notice of business closure on employer website. 5:41 (2014) Title 5, Chapter 41 -- Chapter Notes CHAPTER AUTHORITY: N.J.S.A. website portal containing details required by the statute to confirm their entitled status. You can apply for rental assistance through the State of New Jersey, Department of Community Affairs, COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program Phase II (CVERAP II), and any other county or municipal rental assistance programs. COVID-19 has put tenants and landlords in a difficult place, and I am pleased to say that more assistance is on the way, said Governor Murphy. Subsidy caps are imposed for families with income above 50% Some county and municipal governments have created rental assistance programs to assist tenants that have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. No. We by Kelly Voicheck | April 29, 2023 | News & Views, News & Views Issues | 0 Comments, by Kelly Voicheck | April 29, 2023 | Feature Articles, News & Views | 0 Comments, by Kelly Voicheck | December 15, 2022 | News & Views, News & Views Issues | 0 Comments, by Kelly Voicheck | December 14, 2022 | Feature Articles, News & Views | 0 Comments, by Kelly Voicheck | December 5, 2022 | Feature Articles, News & Views | 0 Comments, by Kelly Voicheck | September 16, 2022 | Feature Articles | 0 Comments, by Kelly Voicheck | August 9, 2022 | Feature Articles, News & Views | 0 Comments, by Kelly Voicheck | August 5, 2022 | News & Views Issues | 0 Comments, by Kelly Voicheck | July 12, 2022 | News & Views | 0 Comments. Can I still get evicted? View the chart below for income thresholds: New Jersey families facing an eviction can get help from non-profits and government agencies. DCA launched several innovative eviction and homelessness prevention initiatives during the pandemic: Also Check: Copy Of Marriage Certificate Mn. That protection against eviction will is extended to December 31. of the Area Median Income (AMI). NOTE: You do NOT have to count the federal stimulus checks you have received during the pandemic. at chanlon@hnlawfirm.com or Fredrick P. Niemann, Esq. Dealing with Late Payments of Rent How Late Is Late? Phil Murphy signed S3691 into law on Wednesday. NJDCA has created a process that may help prevent you from being evicted or removed from where you are living. The Eviction Prevention Program uses the same application process as the COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program, which began in March 2021 and is still accepting applications. NJAA has compiled a list of these programs, by county, below for our members and their residents. These new standards require companies to record substantially 2022 Payroll Tax RemindersYear-end payroll reporting for 2022 is right around the corner. 2753(b). This new law will provide significant eviction protections to struggling tenants and a steady stream of assistance income to struggling landlords as New Jersey continues to recover from the pandemic. The pandemic sapped the economic resources of many working-class families particularly among communities of color, said Frank Argote-Freyre, Chair of the Latino Action Network Foundation. In order for a household to have the court acknowledge that they belong in one of these categories, and therefore are deserving of protection, they must sign a certification made available to them on the internet (by iPhone, for example) by D.C.A. Yes, if you can navigate to the website https://njdca.onlinepha.com/ and enter all the information from your device, you can use it. DCA's Division of Housing & Community Resources will be accepting pre-applications online for the State Rental Assistance Program waiting list from July 11 to July 22. The moratorium on home foreclosures ends on November 15, 2021, for all income levels. Office of Eviction Prevention REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL - January 2023 (competitive) FY23 A. 3499 Route 9 North, Suite 1F 9 0 obj Significant Costs is defined as any expense incurred as a result of responding to the COVID-19 Pandemic. You can contact our Client Call Center at 609-490-4550, click here for LIVE CHAT, or submit a SERVICE REQUEST. The State of New Jersey is offering protections to renters who experienced economic hardships during the COVID-19 Pandemic. You will be notified when/if your application is selected via email should additional funding become available. They all need and deserve help.